The (actual) first day

Connell's first day for this Mother's Day Out year was Thursday. I, of course, wanted his picture that morning. I am so stinkin' sentimental. Well, I am also kind of crazy when it comes to haircuts/backpacks/lunchboxes....etc etc. Connell clearly didn't have his back-to-school haircut on this morning...he also didn't yet have the new "packpack" and matching lunchbox that HE selected...it arrived on the doorstep while he was at MDO that day. Soooooooo, we will be posting another pic this coming week...with a haircut and new stuff in tow! :) It matters! And he is super excited about his doggy packpack and lunchbox!

The sun was in his eyes

Big boy!

It's done, and it's fun!

After 3 nights (til midnight) in the garage putting the pieces together, Chad came over yesterday to help with the assembly. They worked until late and then finished up this afternoon! Just need one more part that was missing so the glider can be hung.

Emma loves her swing! She fussed when I took her out. I think she would swing for an hour!

Sweet memories!

We went to eat with the Jacobs (to celebrate beginning of the school year and completion of the swingset)! Connell wanted Ian and Chloe to come play!

Eleven Months..sniff sniff...

Not sniff sniff - there is a stinky diaper laying around. Sniff sniff - our BABY is growing up! We are planning Emma's first birthday EVENT! and I am still thinking we just brought her home from the hospital. Guess I need to get with it! haha!

I just re-read everything I posted for last month (ten month post) and basically - it's all the same, with added SPEED, NOISE and SWEETNESS! Emma is just so happy and she is so willing to share a smile or a kiss! She is a mess - Into everything, way too fast for me to keep up with her. If there was a race for crawling, she would win...hands down!

I will add that during the first week of this month (July) she started standing up independently. She does it all the time now, and Connell always says "look Emma is standin up, she's a big girl now."

Emma is working on walking with the baby walker (the safe kind) and she is getting better with her little steps. However, I think she prefers to crawl cuz she is so stinkin' fast! I can't imagine what it's going to be like around here when she starts walking... :)

I am so glad I did these old pics of Connell each month with Emma's post...it has been so fun to pull up the older photo folders and just look back...what a cutie he was (is!)!

Uncle Chris!

My brother had a last-minute trip to our area this week and we were so excited to have lunch with him today. Lucky for him (haha!) he is working late and many long hours, or he might be recruited to construction duty! :)

Noisy Neighbors!

Well, if you live near us, our house has NOT been quiet this week. We are under construction! My darling, patient, meticulous husband is assembling a swingset for our kiddos! Here is the mid-project update (from someone who is just taking care of the kids and staying out of the way!).

Night 1 - sort/organize millions of parts :)

Night 2 - begin assembly

Night 3 - a little helper who cannot wait to try this thing out!

I just took this last one...it's 11PM! He is working so hard, and I can tell he is really actually enjoying the process. Our kids are beyond blessed to have him for their Daddy!